RoadworksNetherlands

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22. Roadworks

Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road. They may temporarily change the road layout, lane widths, speed limits, priority, permitted directions and facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.

Drivers must follow the temporary signs, traffic lights, barriers, road markings and instructions from authorised personnel. They should reduce speed, increase their following distance and remain prepared for narrow lanes, stopped traffic, workers, machinery and sudden changes in the route.

Roadworks
Temporary sign announcing a road closure on 23 March between 06:00 and 16:00. (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Wikimedia.org • Donald_Trung • CC BY-SA
What are roadworks?

Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road.

How can you recognise roadworks?

They may be indicated by a roadworks warning sign, cones, barriers, temporary markings, flashing lights, machinery or workers.

Does a roadworks sign impose a speed limit?

No, not by itself. A separate temporary or permanent speed-limit sign establishes the legal maximum speed.

Must you drive below the speed limit?

Yes, when necessary. Narrow lanes, workers, machinery, poor surfaces, congestion or limited visibility may require a substantially lower speed.

Are temporary traffic signs legally binding?

Yes. Correctly installed temporary signs must be obeyed for as long as they are in force.

Which road markings should you follow?

Follow the temporary markings that guide traffic through the works. Local law determines how they take priority over older permanent markings.

Must you obey temporary traffic lights?

Yes. Stop at the line or signal when required and do not proceed until the applicable light permits it.

Must you obey road workers directing traffic?

Obey instructions from workers or controllers who are legally authorised to regulate traffic. Their signals may temporarily replace the ordinary traffic arrangement.

What should you do when a lane closes?

Observe the signs and lane arrows, check mirrors and blind spots and merge safely into the continuing lane.

What is zipper merging?

Zipper merging means that vehicles in an ending or blocked lane merge alternately with vehicles in the continuing lane near the narrowing during congested traffic.

Should you merge early?

This depends on local law and traffic conditions. Where zipper merging applies during congestion, use both lanes and merge near the narrowing. In flowing traffic, change lanes when a safe gap is available.

Who has priority when your lane is obstructed?

Without another traffic control, the driver whose route is obstructed commonly has to yield before moving into the path of approaching or adjacent traffic.

Can temporary lights control alternating traffic?

Yes. Temporary signals may allow only one direction at a time through a narrow section.

May you enter when the exit is blocked?

No. Do not enter a narrow section, intersection or temporary crossing when congestion may leave you stopped inside it.

May you move cones or barriers?

No. Do not move, pass around or ignore traffic-control equipment unless an authorised person instructs you to do so.

May you overtake in roadworks?

Only when signs and markings permit it and sufficient width and visibility remain. Overtaking is often unsafe in narrow or shifted lanes.

May you stop or park in roadworks?

Only where temporary and permanent signs permit it. Do not obstruct workers, machinery, emergency access or temporary pedestrian and cycle routes.

What should you watch for near workers?

Expect workers to enter the road, machinery to move or reverse and vehicles to leave the worksite. Reduce speed and leave generous space.

What should cyclists do at roadworks?

Follow the signed temporary cycle route or lane. Check surrounding traffic carefully before leaving a closed or obstructed bike path.

What should pedestrians do?

Use the designated temporary walkway or crossing and follow barriers, signs, signals and instructions from authorised personnel.

Why should you increase your following distance?

Traffic may brake suddenly because of queues, lane changes, machinery, debris or changing signals. Additional distance provides more time to react.

What should you do if your vehicle breaks down in roadworks?

Move to the safest available location where possible, activate the hazard warning lights and contact assistance. Avoid standing in a live or narrow traffic lane.

Do ordinary traffic rules still apply?

Yes. Rules concerning safe speed, following distance, signalling, priority and vulnerable road users continue to apply unless a lawful temporary arrangement changes them.

1 Netherlands 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Slope 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Priority road 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Roadworks 23 Weight limit 24 Radar speed sign 25 Selective barriers 26 Low-emission zone 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Road markings 31 Speed feedback 32 Traffic mirror 33 Emergency telephone 34 Cycling route 35 Parking 36 No parking 37 No stopping 38 Park and ride 39 Kiss and ride 40 Parking disc 41 Disabled parking 42 Traffic management 43 Merging 44 Reversing 45 Uncontrolled crossroad 46 Advisory cycle lane 47 Rush-hour lane 48 Emergency exit 49 Oversize load 50 City limit 51 Parking zone 52 Axle weight limit 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Dangers 56 Equestrian trail 57 Cyclist 58 Truck 59 Bus 60 Police 61 Ambulance 62 Bicycle parking station 63 Tram lights 64 European emission standard 65 Pothole 66 Path 67 Particulates 68 Air pollution 69 Rush hour 70 Road code 71 Street gutter 72 Cargo bike 73 Forestry vehicle 74 Construction vehicle 75 Semi-trailer truck 76 Trolleybus 77 Speed pedelec 78 Delivery vehicle 79 Idling 80 Tow truck 81 Four-wheel drive 82 No vehicles 83 Bicycle 84 Motorcycle equipment 85 Rail track 86 Caravan 87 Trailer 88 Tow hitch 89 Fire truck 90 Siren 91 Convoy 92 Emergency vehicle lighting 93 Agricultural machinery 94 Electric bicycle 95 Electric vehicle 96 Pedelec 97 Quadricycle 98 Microcar 99 All-terrain vehicle 100 Van ...